Snowboarder Dies After Backpack Caught on Chairlift

An unfastened waist belt buckle on her rucksack became caught on the chairlift while her chest strap was fastened.

This caused her to be dragged along the snow and then suspended in mid-air.

The lift was stopped by an attendant who pressed the emergency button.

The woman was taken to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The accident took place at the top of the two-person Tsuga No.2 Pair Lift.

The woman had been riding the lift with another person.

The Tsugaike Mountain resort and Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co jointly apologised for the accident and said an investigation would be launched.

Police are questioning resort staff and inspecting the lift equipment as part of their inquiry.

The company’s chief executive has expressed deep condolences to the woman’s family and promised to do the utmost to help them.

“We will take concrete measures to prevent recurrence,” said the resort’s chief executive, Tsuneo Kubo.

“We take this situation very seriously and will strive to operate the ski resort in a safe manner so that our customers can use it with peace of mind.”

Australian media have named the woman as Brooke Day.

In a statement, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was “providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Japan”.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” the statement added.

Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Hakuba Valley is one of Nagano’s largest ski areas, popular with both domestic and international visitors.

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